Current and new global human rights crises will call for a robust defense of human rights principles from the new U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch said today.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan today nominated Sergio Vieira de Mello as the next High Commissioner for Human Rights. His term will begin in September.
“De Mello brings to the job an impressive diplomatic and U.N. background, but he lacks hands-on human rights experience,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “The challenge he faces is to prove that he will stand up to governments and be an unwavering voice on behalf of the victims of human rights abuse.”
De Mello, a Brazilian with a long and distinguished career within the U.N. system, was most recently the head of the United Nations operation in East Timor. Previously, he also headed the Kosovo operation, led the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and served as assistant High Commissioner for Refugees.
The General Assembly is expected to approve his nomination tomorrow.
